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Brazil

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Brazil. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Brasília

Head of State

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Head of Government

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Women sit on a hill overlooking a coal power plant in Indonesia. The country is a hotspot for Chinese energy investment. Photo: AP

China exports

China has scrapped two-thirds of its planned coal power plants abroad: report

The cutbacks have saved 6.4 billion tonnes of potential carbon emissions, though campaign’s momentum slowed last year, report finds.

24 Sep 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

India

India backs new P4M forum, but can middle powers fix the UN?

23 Sep 2026 - 5:30PM

China-Latin America relations

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

23 Sep 2026 - 2:56AMvideocam

China trade

Once key economic weapon, US-China soy trade offers fragile relief from tensions

As the two nations address disputes ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, some American soybean farmers say they are in a better position than in 2025.

22 Sep 2026 - 5:00PM

A farmer shovels soybeans in Nebraska on April 6. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazilian serial killer suspect nicknamed ‘Mosquito’ dressed as a woman

Investigator reveals new details on suspect caught in a dress and wig carrying an unrelated baby after evading police for years.

22 Sep 2026 - 10:25AM

Art

Bukhara Biennial spearheads cultural blossoming of the city as well as the wider Uzbekistan

With site-specific artwork displayed in restored or adapted historical structures, the inaugural Bukhara Biennial heralded the development of a cultural district designed for residents and visitors alike.

22 Sep 2026 - 8:00AM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz in Lioness

The Brazilian-Canadian actress was discovered by a model scout as a teenager before securing her breakout role as the villain Dodge in Netflix’s Locke & Key.

21 Sep 2026 - 5:53PM

Laysla De Oliveira plays Cruz Manuelos in the Taylor Sheridan show Lioness. Photo: @laysladeo/Instagram

Vladimir Putin

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

19 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

US president gives backing to ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

19 Sep 2026 - 6:59AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

Jamieson Greer asked Brasilia to curb ‘non-market’ buyers of critical minerals in exchange for relief from Trump’s tariffs.

18 Sep 2026 - 5:29AMvideocam

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has asked Brazil to review the sale of Anglo American’s nickel mines to a Chinese state-controlled miner in exchange for tariff relief. Photo: AP

US-China relations

China pushes back against US sanctions bill targeting Russia’s top energy buyers

Beijing braces as US House clears ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

17 Sep 2026 - 8:42PMvideocam

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun says Beijing “opposes long-arm jurisdiction that has no basis in international law or the authorisation of the UN Security Council”. Photo: Kyodo

Brics

Brics pivots to pragmatic de-dollarisation via payment links: analysts

Analysts say lack of movement towards a common currency reflects a more pragmatic approach to reducing reliance on US dollar.

15 Sep 2026 - 10:01AM

US-China relations

J.D. Vance group courted Brazil opposition candidate for anti-China deal: report

Senator’s logo appears on a plan to trade rare earths and position against Beijing in exchange for support on his presidential bid.

13 Sep 2026 - 7:01AM

Brics

Internal splits threaten to slow Brics’ progress as bloc marks 20th anniversary

The grouping has emerged as a strong champion of the Global South, but analysts warned that major challenges still lie ahead.

12 Sep 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Brics

Editorial | Brics summit could emerge as milestone in bloc’s unity

The expected meeting between the leaders of China and India on the sidelines of the multilateral summit bodes well for stability in Asia.

12 Sep 2026 - 7:15AM

Security officers stand guard beside Brics summit banners bearing images of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in New Delhi, India, on September 11. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro under investigation over alleged corruption

The probe stems from questions over an investment Bolsonaro allegedly solicited from Daniel Vorcaro, owner of failed lender Banco Master.

11 Sep 2026 - 11:45PM

China-India relations

Xi in India, bank capital injections, EU-China trade

This week: Xi heads to India for Brics summit, state-owned banks and insurers get 360 billion yuan capital boost and China shows willingness to broker Trump-Kim summit. Next week: EU’s Von der Leyen delivers annual address as China trade deadline looms, defence officials attend Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Fed may raise interest rates, lanterns light up Hong Kong and more.

11 Sep 2026 - 5:00PM

China-Latin America relations

Brazil scraps tax on small parcels as Chinese platforms lose US and EU access

Congress cleared the measure days before it expired, handing Shein, Shopee and AliExpress a tariff-free lane into Latin America’s largest economy.

10 Sep 2026 - 5:49AM

Brazil has seen a surge in low-value overseas purchases since scrapping a federal tax on small international parcels. Photo: Shutterstock

China food security

Why China’s sugar stockpiles may blunt an El Nino-fuelled global supply crunch

The major sugar importer is expected to lean on strong domestic supplies amid soaring international prices.

8 Sep 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong seizes HK$1.4b suspected drugs over summer as cartels target students

Customs says 150 people aged between 18 and 68 arrested and 6.1 tonnes of suspected drugs seized between May and August.

8 Sep 2026 - 10:46PM

Donald Trump

White House video games depict migrant captures, building border wall

Five online games promote President Donald Trump’s agenda, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups.

4 Sep 2026 - 1:55PM

Rio Run, which features US border tsar Tom Homan chasing migrants. Photo: The White House

Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong considers DNA testing amid concerns over ‘fighting dog’ classification

Authorities studying use of genetic testing to identify breeds, but physical characteristics remain key to classification.

3 Sep 2026 - 2:16PM

Hong Kong authorities are studying DNA testing as a supplementary tool to identify breeds after concerns over the classification and seizure of suspected fighting dogs. Photo: Handout

Banking & finance

Citi boosts headcount, Invesco names new executive in Asia expansion

US financial firms Citigroup and Invesco are continuing to expand in Asia even amid geopolitical uncertainties.

1 Sep 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Brazil’s China borrowing, Colombia quake aid: 7 Latin America relations reads

From corruption allegations to US sanctions and Trump allegations, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in August 2026.

31 Aug 2026 - 10:00PM

China-Latin America relations

Why Brazil’s rare earths will not break China’s magnet grip at least until 2032

Despite vast reserves, Brazil lacks the processing capacity and commercial plants needed to turn its own raw materials into magnets.

28 Aug 2026 - 3:33AMvideocam

Serra Verde is Brazil’s only operating rare earth mine. Photo: AP

Alibaba

Alibaba pushes into South America’s AI market with launch of Brazil data centres

The Chinese tech giant is rapidly building AI infrastructure in emerging markets amid an intensifying US-China tech rivalry.

27 Aug 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Alibaba Group Holding has pledged to invest US$56 billion to build AI infrastructure. Photo: Handout

China-Latin America relations

US critical minerals proposals to Brazil go unanswered as China looms

A US diplomat says Brasilia has not responded to two overtures, even as a US-backed rare earth acquisition in Brazil nears completion.

27 Aug 2026 - 2:33AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Brazil fines TikTok record US$30 million for profiting from children’s data

ByteDance penalised for allegedly collecting data from 1 in 5 Brazilian children and failing to block minors from using TikTok.

26 Aug 2026 - 2:54AMvideocam

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Brazil

China has scrapped two-thirds of its planned coal power plants abroad: report

The cutbacks have saved 6.4 billion tonnes of potential carbon emissions, though campaign’s momentum slowed last year, report finds.

India backs new P4M forum, but can middle powers fix the UN?

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

Once key economic weapon, US-China soy trade offers fragile relief from tensions

As the two nations address disputes ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, some American soybean farmers say they are in a better position than in 2025.

Brazilian serial killer suspect nicknamed ‘Mosquito’ dressed as a woman

Investigator reveals new details on suspect caught in a dress and wig carrying an unrelated baby after evading police for years.

Bukhara Biennial spearheads cultural blossoming of the city as well as the wider Uzbekistan

With site-specific artwork displayed in restored or adapted historical structures, the inaugural Bukhara Biennial heralded the development of a cultural district designed for residents and visitors alike.

Meet Laysla De Oliveira, who plays Cruz in Lioness

The Brazilian-Canadian actress was discovered by a model scout as a teenager before securing her breakout role as the villain Dodge in Netflix’s Locke & Key.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Far from being isolated, Moscow’s relationships across the non-Western world are a geopolitical constant the West cannot break.

Trump signs bill targeting China’s Russia energy imports days before Xi’s US visit

US president gives backing to ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

Jamieson Greer asked Brasilia to curb ‘non-market’ buyers of critical minerals in exchange for relief from Trump’s tariffs.

China pushes back against US sanctions bill targeting Russia’s top energy buyers

Beijing braces as US House clears ‘Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’ before next week’s Xi-Trump summit in Washington.

Brics pivots to pragmatic de-dollarisation via payment links: analysts

Analysts say lack of movement towards a common currency reflects a more pragmatic approach to reducing reliance on US dollar.

J.D. Vance group courted Brazil opposition candidate for anti-China deal: report

Senator’s logo appears on a plan to trade rare earths and position against Beijing in exchange for support on his presidential bid.

Internal splits threaten to slow Brics’ progress as bloc marks 20th anniversary

The grouping has emerged as a strong champion of the Global South, but analysts warned that major challenges still lie ahead.

Editorial | Brics summit could emerge as milestone in bloc’s unity

The expected meeting between the leaders of China and India on the sidelines of the multilateral summit bodes well for stability in Asia.

Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro under investigation over alleged corruption

The probe stems from questions over an investment Bolsonaro allegedly solicited from Daniel Vorcaro, owner of failed lender Banco Master.

Xi in India, bank capital injections, EU-China trade

Brazil scraps tax on small parcels as Chinese platforms lose US and EU access

Congress cleared the measure days before it expired, handing Shein, Shopee and AliExpress a tariff-free lane into Latin America’s largest economy.

Why China’s sugar stockpiles may blunt an El Nino-fuelled global supply crunch

The major sugar importer is expected to lean on strong domestic supplies amid soaring international prices.

Hong Kong seizes HK$1.4b suspected drugs over summer as cartels target students

Customs says 150 people aged between 18 and 68 arrested and 6.1 tonnes of suspected drugs seized between May and August.

White House video games depict migrant captures, building border wall

Five online games promote President Donald Trump’s agenda, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups.

Hong Kong considers DNA testing amid concerns over ‘fighting dog’ classification

Authorities studying use of genetic testing to identify breeds, but physical characteristics remain key to classification.

Citi boosts headcount, Invesco names new executive in Asia expansion

US financial firms Citigroup and Invesco are continuing to expand in Asia even amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Brazil’s China borrowing, Colombia quake aid: 7 Latin America relations reads

From corruption allegations to US sanctions and Trump allegations, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in August 2026.

Why Brazil’s rare earths will not break China’s magnet grip at least until 2032

Despite vast reserves, Brazil lacks the processing capacity and commercial plants needed to turn its own raw materials into magnets.

Alibaba pushes into South America’s AI market with launch of Brazil data centres

The Chinese tech giant is rapidly building AI infrastructure in emerging markets amid an intensifying US-China tech rivalry.

US critical minerals proposals to Brazil go unanswered as China looms

A US diplomat says Brasilia has not responded to two overtures, even as a US-backed rare earth acquisition in Brazil nears completion.

Brazil fines TikTok record US$30 million for profiting from children’s data

ByteDance penalised for allegedly collecting data from 1 in 5 Brazilian children and failing to block minors from using TikTok.

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia